Route · Africa
FCL & LCL shipping from China to Africa
Full and less-than-container load freight into key African gateways — from Southern Africa's container hubs to West and East African ports. We handle booking, origin pickups and correct customs documentation for smooth clearance.
End-to-end service on the China–Africa lane
From origin factories across China to discharge across Africa, one point of contact for the entire move.
FCL / LCL booking & space
Direct carrier space for 20′, 40′ and HQ full containers, plus LCL consolidation for smaller cargo — matched to the right routing for your port.
Air freight & express
Time-sensitive shipments arranged by air and courier from China to major African airports with door delivery where available.
Customs & documentation
Export clearance in China and all required commercial documents — bills of lading, packing lists and certificates prepared correctly for each destination market.
Origin pickup & loading supervision
Factory pickups across China, container loading verification and pre-shipment checks to avoid delays at departure.
Major African gateways we serve
Schedules and direct-call ports vary by carrier and season — we confirm the exact routing and transit time with every quote.
Southern Africa
Durban
South Africa's busiest container port, serving the SADC region with strong road and rail inland links.
Southern Africa
Cape Town
Western Cape gateway with dedicated container terminal, serving Cape region importers.
West Africa
Lagos (Apapa)
Nigeria's principal container port and the primary gateway to West Africa's largest market.
East Africa
Mombasa
Kenya's main deep-water port, serving Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DRC hinterland.
East Africa
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's primary gateway, covering Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and the Central African corridor.
Horn of Africa
Djibouti
Strategic Red Sea hub and the main port of entry for Ethiopia's international trade via road corridor.
How long ocean freight from China to Africa takes
Port-to-port reference times from the main China loading ports. The southern and eastern coasts run shorter than West Africa.
| Destination | Typical port-to-port | Routing |
|---|---|---|
| Durban, Cape Town | 25–35 days | Via the Indian Ocean |
| Mombasa, Dar es Salaam | 28–35 days | Via the Indian Ocean |
| Lagos, Tema | 35–45 days | Via transshipment |
Reference times as of September 2026, based on the rotations we book regularly. These are planning figures, not a schedule commitment — we confirm the exact sailing with every quote.
Check a live rotation yourself: ONE point-to-point schedules · Maersk schedules · how transit times work
2026 container rates from China to Africa (market reference)
Indicative spot ranges for a full container, compiled from public freight indices and published 2026 market data. These are not FreightMainstay quotes — spot rates move weekly, so the number that counts is the one confirmed on your booking. Itemized all-in quote within 24 hours.
| Lane | 20ft, approx. | 40ft, approx. |
|---|---|---|
| China → West Africa — Lagos, Tema | $1,900–2,500 | $3,250–4,500 |
| China → Southern & East Africa — Durban, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam | $1,700–2,300 | $2,950–3,600 |
2026 saw sharp swings on several lanes, which is why these are wide ranges rather than single numbers. Live composite indices: Drewry World Container Index · SCFI, Shanghai Shipping Exchange.
A direct line to your cargo in China
No anonymous call centers and no layer of middlemen — you work with the people who actually book your container.
Direct-client focus
We built the business around importers and brand owners, so your cargo stays the priority.
On the ground in China
We know the ports, carriers and suppliers — the detail that keeps a shipment from slipping.
Transparent pricing
Every quote is itemized. No surprise surcharges added after the fact.
Proactive updates
We track every milestone and flag issues early, before they become your problem.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about shipping from China to this destination. Anything else — ask us directly, we reply within a few hours on business days.
How long does ocean freight from China to Africa take?
It depends on the coast: Durban and Cape Town are typically 25–35 days from China, Mombasa around 28–35, and West African ports like Lagos 35–45. Schedules and direct calls vary by carrier and season — we confirm the exact plan with every quote.
How much does it cost to ship a container to Africa?
Beyond ocean freight and China origin charges, destination charges differ sharply by country and port. We quote the full chain itemized and work with trusted local partners at each gateway, so the number you see covers the port — and, if you need it, inland delivery too.
Should I ship FCL or LCL to Africa?
We run both. FCL to Durban, Lagos, Mombasa or Dar es Salaam when you have the volume; LCL consolidation for smaller loads. For landlocked destinations — Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia — we route through Mombasa, Dar es Salaam or Djibouti with the inland leg arranged.
What documents are needed for African customs?
Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading are the baseline, and many markets additionally require certificates of origin or pre-shipment documents. We prepare export documents in China to each destination's current requirements and coordinate with local clearance partners.
Can you deliver inland — Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ethiopia?
Yes. Mombasa serves the Northern Corridor into Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan; Dar es Salaam feeds Zambia, Malawi and the central corridor; Djibouti is the gateway for Ethiopia. We arrange port clearance and trucking to the final city as one coordinated move.
Shipping to Africa?
Tell us what you are moving and where it needs to go. We will come back with a clear rate and a straight answer.